Yao Ming retires from basketball

YAO TAKES A BOW Chinese superstar Yao Ming called it a day when he made an official announcement of his retirement from professional basketball on Wednesday due to a series of injuries.

SHANGHAI, China — Yao Ming has made it official, telling a packed news conference in his hometown that a series of injuries have forced him to retire from basketball.

The Houston Rockets center, who has become a household name in China since starting his National Basketball Association (NBA) career as the top draft pick in 2002, says “I will formally end my career.”

The 7-foot-6 (2.29-meter) Yao played eight seasons, but missed 250 regular-season games over the past six years.

Yao’s farewell conference was attended by Houston general manager Daryl Morey. NBA commissioner David Stern was scheduled to send a message via video link. Morey had to get permission from the NBA to be here, as the lockout prohibits contact with players.